We welcome you to the Cottonwood Art Festival, now celebrating its 40th year .

(Click here for directions.)

(Click here for Artist Application)


This internationally award winning Festival not only showcases the finest art and crafts in the nation, but also features incredible performing and culinary arts. The Cottonwood staff dedicates themselves to the exhibiting artist, whose talents are what make this festival successful.

Twice a year over 800 qualified applicants from around the world submit their applications to be scrutinized by the Cottonwood Jurors. Only 240 Artists will be selected to exhibit, many whose work seldom appears outside a museum or gallery. The bi-annual event allows art collectors the opportunity to personally meet the artist, view original works, and purchase world class art. The experience that develops between a patron and the artist may last a lifetime.

The 16 fine art/fine crafts categories are: 2-D Mixed Media, 3-D Mixed Media, Clay, Decorative Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Oil, Watercolor, Drawing/Pastel, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Wearable Fiber, Wood and Leather.

Festival guidelines require that all participating artists be present throughout the show and that they exhibit a majority of original art in their exhibit space. Limited edition signed reproductions are permitted.

Highlights

• Art Collectors from Texas and Surrounding States Attend Cottonwood
• Varied Menu of Fine Food, Wine and Beer
• Boxed Lunches are Offered for Delivery to Your Booth
• Beautiful Lakeside Setting
• Live Entertainment on the “Courtyard Stage” as well as in Select Areas Throughout the Festival
• Hands-On Children's Art Activities and Entertainment
• State and Regional Advertising, Promotion and Public Relations
• Flat Booth Fee, No Commissions
• Free Map and Commemorative Brochure Highlighting Featured Artists
• Festival Website Promotes Cottonwood Art Festival Throughout The Year
• Complimentary Tickets (2) to the Friday Night VIP Dinner Party
• Booth Sitters Available Upon Request
• Free Festival Shuttle System and Parking
• 24 Hour On Site Security from Set-Up until Load-Out

Festival Eligibility & Rules

• The Festival is open to all applying Artists. All exhibitors are presented to the jury without distinction as having been a previous Cottonwood exhibitor.
  
• If two or more persons collaborate to produce original work, each person must be identified on the Application. No work by apprentices or employees will be accepted. Commercial agents, dealers, or manufacturers are not eligible to enter. No kits, molds, tumbled stones, embellished objects or edible art may be submitted.
  
• Artists may jury in more than one category, but not with the same body of work. Only one application may be submitted per body of work with a jury fee for each category. Artist must use the same name for both applications. Artists whose work is selected in multiple categories will exhibit in one booth space.
  
• Only artists accepted in the jewelry category may display or sell jewelry.
  
• No double booths are sold. Corner booths are limited and assigned by the Festival Director.
  
• All Artists must be present on site during the entire festival. Spouses or other representatives will not be permitted to substitute for the artist.
  
• A picture ID is required at time of check in.
  
• Artists must define “a limited edition” through their Artist Statement and must disclose their process to the buyer. Original art must occupy more than 50% of the applicant’s booth space. Postcards, books, note cards, posters and t-shirts are not permitted.
  
• All hanging work must be suitably framed. Prints must be appropriately matted and must be displayed in a suitable portfolio or stand.
  
• Prints exhibited by artists accepted in the graphics/printmaking category must be limited editions (750) and properly signed and numbered. Reproductions of other 2-D work must be clearly labeled “Reproduction”.
  
• Ceramic works must be handmade by the artist. If multiple pieces of the same design are displayed, each must be signed.
  
• Participating exhibitors are responsible for collecting and paying current city and state sales tax for all sales made during the show.
  
• Artists must comply with all staff and uniformed security regarding site safety and regulations. Vehicles must be parked only in designated areas, noncompliance will result in elimination from consideration for any future festivals.
  
• Each artist must supply their own 10’ x 10’ clean white tent.
  
• Rentals are acceptable. More information on rentals will be included in the acceptance brochure.
  
• Exhibit space is approximately 15’ x 15’.
  
• Festival Hours: 9a.m. - 6 p.m..

Application Deadline & Notification
All completed applications must be received no later than January 5th.

Cottonwood Art Festival is not liable for loss or damage to Artists' slides. The Festival will not be responsible for post office delays/deliveries. Notification of acceptance/rejection will be mailed on or before January 15. All application fees are non-refundable. Telephone notification will not be provided prior to written notification under any circumstances. Slides of unaccepted applicants will be returned with notification. One slide of wait listed Artists will be retained and 1 slide of accepted Artists will be retained for comparison and for promotional purposes.

Jury & Selection Process
Exhibitor selections are based on quality of workmanship, originality, and artistic conception. All slides are viewed anonymously. Artists are scored on a yes/no basis. Description information from the Artist is made available to the Jurors. The number of Artists accepted into each category is based on the number of applicants for the category. A wait list is selected by the jury in each medium and invited as cancellations occur in that particular medium.

Slides
Five (5) slides are to be submitted for each individual category entered. Four slides must be representative of the body of work that will be exhibited. The fifth slide must be representative of your booth set-up. If you do not have a slide of your actual booth set-up, please photograph a "mock booth" against plain walls, showing a grouping of your work and interaction (in order to reflect scale and consistency).

Application Suggestions

Please write legibly on the form so the description of the work can be easily read.
2. Make sure the description of the work specifically states how the work is created, the process, not just an abstract statement of what the work is about.
3. Make sure the booth slide represents the same type of work that is reflected in the slides. When the booth work looks and feels dramatically different, it is confusing to the jury and creates questions about what work you really are going to show. If you apply in different categories, have a different booth slide representing each different type of work.
4. Slides should show a consistent body of work, but be varied enough to be interesting. Don't show completely different types or styles of work, but at the same time don't have all the slides look similar.
5. Think carefully about the category you apply in and make sure your slides represent that category.
6. If you decide to apply in more than one category, do not use the same slides for both. Use different slides that represent the two different bodies of work.
7. Make sure all the slides you submit are of the same quality.

• Artists are provided with a 15' x 15' space.
• Booth assignments are made at the discretion of the Festival Director.
• Photo ID is required at time of check-in
• Check-in begins at 11:00 am on the Friday before the show.
• Packets with booth number and other materials will not be available until day of check-in.
• You have one hour to unload your vehicle. You then need to move your vehicle to designated parking lot and set-up at your leisure.
• If you are not arriving until Saturday morning, you must be unloaded and set-up by 8:30 a.m.
• Click here for map and directions.
• Click here for a map of Cottonwood Park.